A unique intergenerational initiative in North Lanarkshire is bringing generations together, challenging stigma and helping to shape a more dementia-friendly future.
Thirty Primary 7 pupils from Morningside Primary School are set to be recognised as Junior Dementia Ambassadors and Forget-Me-Not Friends, following their participation in an innovative eight-week programme developed and delivered in partnership with residents and staff at Morningside Care Home.
The Forget-Me-Not Friends Programme has created a powerful shared learning experience, connecting pupils, residents, teachers and care staff through meaningful conversation, storytelling and hands-on activities. Designed to improve understanding of dementia and break down misconceptions, the programme places relationships and lived experience at its heart.
Rather than learning from textbooks alone, pupils have explored topics such as ageing, the brain, communication, identity and life stories through direct engagement with residents, many of whom played a central role as educators. By sharing personal memories, careers and life experiences, residents helped young people to recognise that dementia is only one part of a person’s story.
This approach has had a profound impact. Pupils who were initially unsure about visiting a care home quickly grew in confidence, building genuine friendships and engaging openly with residents. In turn, residents spoke warmly of the joy, purpose and sense of connection the programme brought to their daily lives.
The initiative builds on a longstanding partnership between the care home and school, where intergenerational activities are already a valued part of community life. This programme marks a natural progression of that relationship, deepening opportunities for shared learning and understanding.
Class teacher Vicky Emmerson reflected on the experience:
“As a teacher, it is always incredibly rewarding to see pupils so engaged, motivated, and eager to learn more. This experience has not only enhanced their learning but has also supported their personal and social development in a very special way. It has been an especially meaningful experience for the pupils in their final year of primary school. The programme has given them lasting memories and important life skills that they will carry with them as they move on to the next stage of their education”.
Student nurse Bronagh Megahy also highlighted the wider impact:
“As a student nurse on placement in a care home, I recently attended the Forget Me Not Friends Junior Dementia Ambassador Programme at a local primary school. It was a truly inspiring experience. The children engaged wonderfully with our residents living with dementia, showing kindness, patience, and genuine interest. The residents clearly enjoyed the interaction and the opportunity to spend time with the children. Professionally, the programme gave me valuable insight into the benefits of intergenerational activities and the positive impact they can have on people living with dementia. Personally, as a mother, I loved seeing children learn about dementia in such a compassionate way and believe programmes like this should be available in schools across the UK. Overall, I think it is a fantastic initiative that promotes understanding, connection, and compassion between generations”. ”
The programme will culminate in a celebration event on 22 June 2026, where pupils will receive bespoke badges and certificates, sponsored by Claire Adamson MSP, recognising their commitment to supporting older people and helping to build a more inclusive, dementia-aware community.
Morningside Care Home manager Christina Simmons emphasised the deeper purpose behind the work:
“Being involved in shaping the Forget Me Not Friends Programme has been a truly inspirational experience and a privilege to be part of. If there is one thing I hope the children take away, it is that dementia does not define a person. It is only one chapter in someone’s story, not the whole book. Behind every diagnosis is a lifetime of memories, experiences, achievements, relationships and love. If these young people grow up seeing the person before the diagnosis and recognising that every life is worth hearing, celebrating and remembering, then together we will have created something truly special.”
Looking ahead, both the care home and school are committed to continuing and expanding the programme, with ambitions to grow a network of young Dementia Ambassadors across the community.
At its core, this is a story of friendship, compassion and connection, demonstrating how care homes can play a vital role within their communities, and how bringing generations together can leave a lasting legacy of understanding, respect and belonging.
